Fuel System, Gasoline
NHTSA campaign 14V441000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 4.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
167Complaints
3Recalls
5Crashes
6Fires
4Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine (47.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine complaints here are 4.2× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 80 · 47.9% | Recalled | Recall 08V235000 |
| Electrical System | 40 · 24% | Recalled | Recall 13V569000 |
| Power Train | 16 · 9.6% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 15 · 9% | Investigation closed | PE13036 → recall 13V569000 |
| Steering | 14 · 8.4% | No official action | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 11 · 6.6% | Recalled | Recall 14V441000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 167 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 3 campaigns
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
NHTSA campaign 13V569000 · 2013 · reported 11/22/2013
If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA campaign 08V235000 · 2008 · reported 05/28/2008
AN ENGINE SURGE CAUSED BY AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM MAY SURPRISE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“AFTER NOTICING EXCESS OIL LEAKAGE WE TOOK OUR "09 TIGUAN TO OUR ASE CERTIFIED LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN EUROPEAN CARS. HE FOUND A…”NHTSA complaint 10947894 — filed 01/27/2017 · ENGINE
“THE ENGINE FOR MY PARTICULAR CAR IS VERY POORLY DESIGNED CAUSING IT TO HAVE SO MANY ISSUES ONE AFTER THE OTHER. AT ON 72K MILES…”NHTSA complaint 10945512 — filed 01/16/2017 · ENGINE
“TIGUAN. PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2015 REPLACED THE WATER PUMP IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND AGAIN IN JANUARY 2017. THE WATER PUMP ON THIS CAR…”NHTSA complaint 10944666 — filed 01/12/2017 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 80 of 167 NHTSA complaints (47.9%), followed by electrical system (40), power train (16), exterior lighting (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
167 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V441000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
